King James Version

What Does Romans 1:10 Mean?

Romans 1:10 in the King James Version says “Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.” — study this verse from Romans chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.”

Romans 1:10 · KJV

Context

8

First , I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

9

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; with: or, in

10

Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

11

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

12

That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. with: or, in

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

The content of Paul's persistent prayer (v. 9) is now specified: pantote epi tōn proseuchōn mou deomenos (πάντοτε ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου δεόμενος, 'always in my prayers making request'). Deomenos (making request/petition) indicates specific asking, not just general praise. Paul's request was ei pōs ēdē pote euodōthēsomai en tō thelēmati tou theou elthein pros humas (εἴ πως ἤδη ποτὲ εὐοδωθήσομαι ἐν τῷ θελήματι τοῦ θεοῦ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, 'if somehow now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you').

The conditional ei pōs (if somehow) and adverbs ēdē pote (now at length/finally) show Paul's longing tempered by submission to providence. Euodōthēsomai (I might be prospered/have success) is passive—God grants success. The critical phrase en tō thelēmati tou theou (by the will of God) frames all Paul's plans. He desired to visit Rome but subordinated that desire to divine sovereignty. Paul did eventually reach Rome, but in chains as a prisoner (Acts 28), not as he envisioned. God's will often unfolds differently than we expect, yet He is faithful.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul wrote Romans from Corinth near the end of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:2-3). He planned to visit Jerusalem with the collection for impoverished saints (Romans 15:25-27), then proceed to Rome and Spain. His journey to Rome was delayed and transformed—arrested in Jerusalem, imprisoned in Caesarea for two years, then shipwrecked en route to Rome for trial. Despite human plans, God's purposes prevailed, and Paul's Roman imprisonment resulted in letters to Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance making specific plans and requests with submission to 'the will of God' (τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ)?
  2. What 'prosperous journey' are you praying for that God may answer in unexpected or uncomfortable ways?
  3. How should the doctrine of divine providence shape your response to delayed, denied, or redirected plans?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
δεόμενος1 of 13

“Making request”

G1189

to beg (as binding oneself), i.e., petition

εἴπως2 of 13

“if by any means”

G1513

if somehow

ἤδη3 of 13

“now”

G2235

even now

ποτὲ4 of 13

“at length”

G4218

indefinite adverb, at some time, ever

εὐοδωθήσομαι5 of 13

“I might have a prosperous journey”

G2137

to help on the road, i.e., (passively) succeed in reaching; figuratively, to succeed in business affairs

ἐν6 of 13

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ7 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θελήματι8 of 13

“the will”

G2307

a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination

τοῦ9 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ10 of 13

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐλθεῖν11 of 13

“to come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρὸς12 of 13

“unto”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὑμᾶς13 of 13

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 1:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 1:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 15:30-32Acts 18:21Philemon 1:22James 4:151 Thessalonians 2:181 Thessalonians 3:10-11

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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